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Welcome to Dear Aunt Polly

Dear Aunt Polly & Company is offering sets of collectible and durable grandparent dolls for therapeutic use with elderly individuals and groups. The dolls represent extended family, playmates and companions, and promote intergenerational activities. They prompt conversation and social interaction. Each set consists of:

Two dolls (Aunt Polly and Uncle Pete) in light or dark skin tones

A tote bag made from beautiful Waverly fabric

Three custom outfits for each doll – teatime, gardening, bedtime

A small booklet of sayings with illustrations

These realistic-appearing older dolls are unique therapeutic tools for working with the elderly, both as individuals and in groups, as well as in a variety of settings (home, day programs, memory impairment units, hospice care and continuing care retirement communities). The dolls are appealing to both women and men and can serve as surrogate companions and confidants while stimulating memories, emotional expression, social interaction, and physical mobility.

As our population ages, more social equipment like these dolls is needed to promote quality of life for older seniors and to complement the many technical devices designed to assure their safety.

Aging at Home…

FAMILY MEMBERS.CARETAKERS.HOME-HEALTH NURSES.
The elderly quickly bond with these older dolls. They provide a ‘human’ presence and help elders living alone feel connected during their daily activities. The dolls become surrogate companions for those who have lost a spouse or partner, even a beloved pet. Bedtime is often a time of high anxiety… Learn More

Teaching and Learning Environments…

EDUCATORS.RESEARCHERS.
Professors of Gerontology use the dolls to spark discussion by students about age-related issues. The dolls easily evoke personal stories about relationships with older relatives, attitudes toward aging, what constitutes healthy aging, experiences with loss and grief, and the like…Learn More

Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Memory Units, and Hospice Care…

ADMINISTRATORS and DIRECTORS OF NURSINGACTIVITY COORDINATORSSTAFF DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORSSOCIAL WORKERS and RECREATIONAL THERAPISTS
These unique older dolls can ease the transition from independent to dependent living and from one level of care to another… Learn More

Involving Community…

INDIVIDUAL DONORS.CIVIC and RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.FOUNDATIONS.
Donors are entitled to a full tax deduction when they give doll sets to non-profit agencies and elder-care facilities. This can be a particularly satisfying way to honor someone you love…Learn More

The elderly quickly bond with these older dolls. They provide a ‘human’ presence and help elders living alone feel connected during their daily activities. The dolls become surrogate companions for those who have lost a spouse or partner, even a beloved pet. Bedtime is often a time of high anxiety; and, when placed close by, the dolls provide a level of comfort and reassurance.

Family members and friends can use the dolls to prompt conversation with loved ones ~ sharing stories and memories of special times and people.

Caregivers and nurses can utilize the dolls to elicit emotional expression, disclosure of worries and concerns, reports of pain and physical issues.

These unique older dolls can ease the transition from independent to dependent living and from one level of care to another. They provide a continuing presence at change of shifts and at the departure of family and friends.

Administrators often provide the doll sets as ‘Welcome Gifts’ for newcomers. When placed in reception areas and resident gathering spaces, the dolls serve as quick conversation starters, helping all feel comfortable and at home.

The dolls facilitate interactions between residents and staff and among residents, engaging them in conversation and the sharing of personal histories. The dolls promote as many group activities as staff and residents can conceive of. They are designed to facilitate socialization and creative projects as well as to promote cognitive and physical exercises. Plus the dolls have a calming and healing influence.

The dolls are useful props for training staff and volunteers. Examples include teaching effective communication skills; prompting discussions on issues of aging; debriefing staff following difficult interactions with residents or painful losses; and more.

Professors of Gerontology use the dolls to spark discussion by students about age-related issues. The dolls easily evoke personal stories about relationships with older relatives, attitudes toward aging, what constitutes healthy aging, experiences with loss and grief, and the like.

The dolls can be used in role play to teach effective communication skills with the elderly and to illustrate approaches to sensitive issues, such as loss of independence, financial and health concerns, deaths of significant others and more.

Researchers use the dolls to study nostalgia and reminiscence, memory and recall.

Donors are entitled to a full tax deduction when they give doll sets to non-profit agencies and elder-care facilities. This can be a particularly satisfying way to honor someone you love ~ a special relative, a cherished mentor!

Organizations interested in assisting elders can sponsor fund-raising events to purchase doll sets for local facilities or for community seniors who are aging at home. This is way to educate members, attract volunteers, and celebrate aging.

Foundations with platforms on aging can give doll sets to non-profits working with the older demographic. Foundations affiliated with corporations interested in contributing to the common good while reflecting positively on parent companies could consider purchasing all 400 doll sets and donating them to selected non-profits in their geographic area or across the country.

For Doll Collectors, too!

24″ Dear Aunt Polly and Uncle Pete dolls are genuine collectible items. They were designed and made in the USA from the highest quality materials. The dolls are unique, durable, and exquisitely fashioned. Their vinyl heads, arms and legs come in both light and dark skin tones; and the vinyl was poured by a master craftsman, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in the industry. The wigs were made from 100% Lincoln Longwool ~ washed and brushed for the finest fibers, then shaped into one-of-a-kind hairpieces. Three costumes (teatime, gardening, bedtime) come with each doll and are all hand-sewn. The dolls come on stands and within a specially-designed Waverly fabric tote bag. A numbered certificate as well as a small booklet of illustrations and sayings are included.

The Dear Aunt Polly and Uncle Pete dolls will bring a lifetime of joy and pleasure to owners. They will grace collections with their charm and prompt innumerable stories and recollections by virtue of their older appearance. The dolls will become cherished heirlooms to pass along to the next generation.

* Not all accessories shown are included in doll sets.

Gift Ideas

The doll sets make wonderful holiday gifts for elderly relatives and friends!

The dolls are genuine collectibles – only limited numbers ever produced! The dolls are signed and numbered, and a certificate is included upon request.

Purchasers can take a full tax deduction if they donate the doll sets to a non-profit serving the elderly. This is a lovely way to honor someone who was special to you!